:~: Friday, December 01, 2006 :~:

Holiday Buzzzzzzzz

I'm feeling rather anxious today and I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe it's because today is December 1st and I haven't done a lick of Christmas shopping yet. Maybe it's because tonight I have to go to a Christmas party with the DH and I know absolutely no one who will be there. Maybe it's because said Christmas party is out of town, hence I have to pack up overnight crap for three gremlins and get them situated with their cousin - who's going to babysit - before we go. Maybe it's because I had some sugar this week after having been sugar-free for over two months and the poison has gone straight to my brain. Maybe it's because the WIP is still kicking my butt - I thought I'd made a break-through, was super excited with the new direction, and now am worried it might be too similar to the other proposal I recently finished (at least initially). Maybe it's because last night I spent some time online reading author blogs and ingested all the stress and worry over deadlines and proposals and fear of success (Yeah, Lisa told me not to do that again). And maybe my anxiety is just related to the fact publishing has to be the slowest industry in the world. Simply put - waiting sucks.

I drank some the anxious eggnog today today too. 4 R's in a single day. I made myself stickies with the number's of R's Grisham and Mary Higgins Clark and others racked up--and still the nasty doubts remained. Thanks for reminding me that I'm not alone. And yes, worry sucks.

Don't worry too much about similarity--remember all those details and twists and turns will come out in the draft. The neat thing about series IS the similarities in each book--in fact I'd say its a good sign--it means your voice is shining through.